The Trade and Agriculture Commission (TAC) was created to advise the UK Department of International Trade (now the Department for Business and Trade) on matters of agricultural standards to ensure that the UK agriculture sector remains competitive in any free trade agreement, and advise on any export opportunities that can be opened to the UK agriculture sector. The ATC was set up for six months to submit an advisory report at the end of its work".
The Department of International Trade announced the creation of Agriculture and Trade Commission on the 29 June 2020 after the agriculture sector informed the government of their concerns regards food quality in any future trade agreement.
Role The ATC was to report directly to International Trade minister Liz Truss, and was to advise on: Trade policies the Government should adopt to secure opportunities for UK farmers Ensuring the sector remains competitive and that animal welfare and environmental standards in food production are not undermined. Advancing and protecting British consumer interests and those of the developing countries. Advising on how the UK engages the WTO to build a coalition that helps to promote higher animal welfare standards across the world. Developing trade policy that identifies and opens up new export opportunities for the UK agricultural industry in particular for SMEs, as this would benefits the UK economy as a whole.
Leadership The commission was chaired by food safety expert Tim J. Smith.(1)(D.E.F.R.A - Rt Hon. George Eustace) (2) (D.I.T - Rt Hon. Liz Truss), (1)(Department for Environmental, Food & Rural Affaires) (2) (Department for International Trade) (July 10, 2020). "Trade and Agriculture Commission membership announced". Gov.UK.
Membership The Agriculture and Trade Commission consisted of 16 members: NoName of Representative Organisation Represented 1.Tim J. SmithEx-Tesco Tech Director/FSA2.Nick von WestenholzNFU England3.Andrew McCornickNFU Scotland4John DaviesNFU Cymru5.Victor ChestnuttUlster Farmers Union6.Glyn RobertFarmers Union of Wales7.Rob HodgkinsLamb Farmer8.Shanker SinghamInstitute of Economic Affairs9.Nigel GibbensFormer Chief Veterinary Officer10.Andrew OpieBritish Retail Consortium11.Lord Mark PriceFormer Trade Minister12.Tom PengellyTrade Out Of Poverty13.Sir Lockwood SmithFormer Trade Minister and Agriculture Minister for New Zealand14.Kate NichollsUK Hospitality15.Ian Wright CBEFood and Drink Federation16.Caroline DrummondLinking Environment And Farming (LEAF)
See also Free trade agreements of the United Kingdom
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